Perth Racecourse
Introduction
Situated just four miles north of the Scottish town of Perth, the grounds of Scone Palace on the banks of the River Tay, provide a beautiful setting for the racecourse. The jumps course is right handed and flat with tight bends and at just one mile and two furlongs in length, it is comparatively short.
History
Horse racing at Perth dates back to the early 17th century. Bonnie Price Charlie is said to have attended, mingling incognito with the crowds, when the racing took place at the Inch in Perth.
A reference is made in the Chambers’ Journal for 1906 to the great annual Perth Meeting held at the North Inch, but none of the racing prior to 1908 appears to have taken place under Jockey Club Rules.
Perth Racecourse
In 1908, the racing moved to the grounds of Scone Palace. Originally there were only two days of racing each year, held on consecutive days in September, but this has gradually increased to the thirteen that take place today. The racecourse was visited twice by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in the 1970s.
In 1978 there was more excitement when Jonjo O’Neill broke the world record at Perth for the number of winners ridden by a National Hunt jockey in any one season. This year Perth will celebrate its centenary.
Highlights at Perth
Perth Festival
To be held this year on the 23rd to the 25th April, this is the first fixture of Perth’s calendar. After the exertions of Cheltenham and Aintree, the racing world visits Perth, providing an excellent opportunity to see great National Hunt horses compete. At least £25,000 is at stake at the Press and Journal Highland National held on the Friday.
City of Perth Gold Cup Day
Scheduled for 1st June this year, this is an excellent day out for all the family with magicians, pipe bands and a crèche in addition to some great racing. With £30,000 at stake, the Perth Gold Cup is one of the most prestigious jumps competitions in the UK’s summer calendar.
Centenary Glorious Finale Meeting
To be held on the 24th and 25th Sept, this year’s Glorious Finale Meeting will be the culmination of the centenary celebrations. It is the oldest fixture in the Perth calendar and this year promises to be extra special.
Meetings and Tickets
Perth hosts 13 meetings between April and Sept and full details can be found on the Racing Fixtures page of the official website
Tickets are priced at £15 for entry to the Grandstand Enclosure or £10 for concessions (OAPs, students or the disabled). For the Centre course, admission is £10 with no concessions, whilst a car with up to four adults can gain entry to the picnics area of the course for £20. Admission for children under 16 is free for all areas of the course. A £3 per head discount is available for groups of 15 or more, booking a week in advance for the Grandstand. Car and coach parking is free.
Annual membership can be purchased for £115 (single) or £200 (dual)
Tickets can be bought online, by telephone (01738 551597) or by post.
Eating and Drinking
There is something to cater for all tastes and budgets at Perth, from fish and chips and fast food at various bars and eateries, to hot and cold silver service meals at the Club Restaurant. For something special, a three course meal in the stylish Galileo Restaurant costs £65 a head plus VAT but includes Grandstand entry. The new Taittinger Champagne and Wine Bar has recently been refurbished and is just the place to celebrate your winnings.
Contact Details
Address
Perth Racecourse
Scone Palace Park
Perth PH2 6BB
Tel
01738 551597
Fax (for secretary and treasurer)
01738 553021
E-mail
[email protected]
Directions
Perth Racecourse is located within just 90 minutes or less of 90% of Scotland’s population, so it is easily accessible by road or by public transport.
By Road
The racecourse is four miles north of Perth itself, off the A93 Blairgowrie road. Take the M85 and exit at Junction 1. Scone Palace and the racecourse are well signposted from Perth.
By Rail
Perth station is on the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen lines and on race days a free bus service runs from Mill St in Perth (near the cinema) about one hour before the start of racing.
By Air
The nearest commercial airport is Edinburgh, about 40 miles from Perth. Small aircraft can land at Scone Aerodrome two miles from the course and helicopters can land on the course by prior arrangement.